Hands on Health

Q: My teenage daughter is recovering from foot surgery and is not as active as she usual. She has been complaining that whenever she eats sugar her neck and upper shoulder area hurts. The doctors are baffled. Can you make a connection between these seemingly unrelated yet absolutely consistent and nagging complaints?

A: You have given me several clues. First, a teenager probably does not have the greatest diet. Second, the recent inactivity is likely significant. Both of these clues lead me to a possible conclusion. That it may be her lymph system is overloaded by poor dietary byproducts. Many people who are active excrete these toxins by sweating through exercise. This enables them to ride the line and walk the tightrope of symptoms, no symptoms. They feel a little yucky, sweat, exercise, feel better. Inactivity closes the gap and topples the apple cart. Then minor dietary infractions cause symptoms. Sugar as a toxin is insulting to the system anyway, especially if it is in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Sugar does also make a temporary and immediate shortening of the muscular tendons where they attach to the bones. Together the over saturation of the lymph with toxins, the lack of excretion, the shortening of tendons and additional toxic input; more sugar, could very likely present itself as neck and shoulder pain. Especially when eating sugar under the circumstance of being immobile. My recommendation is healthy, live greens, organic fruits and vegetables, lots of waterand perhaps a detoxification diet. Manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that flushes the lymph system and a sauna would all be very helpful. Myofascial release may be needed to encourage full release of these muscles as well as posture awareness of head position and the stress on the neck muscles in sleeping and awake postures.

Q: I notice you recommend Yoga often to your clients. I had a strange experience in Yoga that was described to me as my Kundalini Rising. I had severe uncontrolled jerking at this time and am afraid to meditate or do Yoga again. It left me very sore.

A: Yoga is a very telling practice. It is an opportunity for you to get to know your body and all of the areas that are tight not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In your practice you are not only striving for symmetry of muscular length and strength and proper bony alignment but balance in your thought processes and connection with the energetic aspects of Being. Kundalini rising is the energy (Prana ) moving up the spine, this canal, the (Shashumna) and through all the Chakras or Energy centers along the way. If there are blockages, belief systems or patterns of trapped energy these will be revealed and be expressed many different ways. The Kundalini Rising does not necessarily make you jerk however the nervous system and any tethers or resistance in this system will present that way. It is helpful to coordinate Transformational Bodywork, Craniosacral therapy and Myofascial therapy with your Yoga regime so that blockages and restrictions can be moved more gently. You can stop kundalini rising instantly, so it is imperative you have an attentive and experienced teacher until you master this more advanced energetic aspect of Yoga practice.

Ann is an award winning writer,teacher and speaker. Ann is the personal body worker of Her Holiness “Sai Maa”. Ann practices osteopathic physical therapy and has helped thousands of patients. Ann is also an expert on the use of healing foods, homeopathic and herbal consultations, and therapeutic horseback riding. Ann treats her patients in a beautiful country setting which enables her to utilize all of her learned skills as well as some of the healing properties that only Mother Earth can bestow .Ann is available by appointment and can be reached 302-656-7882. The farm is also available for birthday parties, women’s circles, and retreats.